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Rating: Not everyone dies at 30. That's how long Mieszko Talarczyk's life lasted, cut short in December 2004 by the killer waves of a tragedy everyone knows by now. A short and intense life, like the songs of his band. Short, intense. Nothing more, and that was enough. And with him, the real Nasum died. It would be pointless for me to wait for a new album from one of the most promising bands of the grindcore scene (assuming they don't break up) knowing from the start that he won't be there to wield his guitar to play his songs.
So all I can do is delve into the past; after listening to "Helvete" and "Shift" to the extreme, almost as a tribute, I can't help but review "Inhale/Exhale", given to me by two dear friends for my 19th birthday. The first, magnificent album. This one, together with the subsequent "Human 2.0", is the album of pre-maturity. The masterpiece was yet to come, true, but when Nasum didn't yet have a complete and stable lineup, composed of the two creative minds Mieszko Talarczyk and Anders Jakobson, the drummer with iron arms, they brought forth a work that is the fundamental premise for the new grindcore, which comes to save one of the most extreme and fast musical genres that seemed buried under debris in the memory of its listeners. And Nasum give everything, they give themselves to the listeners. It is undoubtedly their most extreme album, where speed is everything, where in just 45 minutes of music they pack 38 (!), I say 38, and I emphasize "38" songs that rarely exceed one and a half minutes. It's like a declaration of themselves, just a little, a few words, even in Swedish, spewed into the minds of those who listen, their thought, their protest.
An engaged band, sure, but not just politically. Thus the themes range from human hypocrisy ("I See Lies") to bitter disappointment ("Disappointed"), from the stagnation of reality ("No Sign Of Improvement") to the illusion that blinds ("The Masked Face"), from the drabness of existence ("Grey") to the system's failure ("The System Has Failed Again"), from the unscrupulous power of science ("When Science Fails") to the precariousness of human life ("Inhale/Exhale"). Until the concluding "Can De Lach", the longest track of the album (3 minutes) where the roar of the guitars seems to get lost in a dizzying atmosphere. Words told over a grinding drum carpet and killer guitars, short and concise, straight to the point, sincere, without frills, without hypocrisy. Lethal riffs, spat out, thrown like hellish shards.
This isn't common grindcore: it's about careful and reasoned sound construction, precise guitar structure like a surgeon's hands, music thought out first and played later, lost in a chaos that is the same as life. They were to become (or already are) the greatest heirs of Napalm Death, it's indisputable. And listening to this album again, this very album, it seems like destiny that Mieszko was meant to die at this age. Short, intense. You will live forever in the hearts of those who loved your music, your songs. You met the end that befits the greats, Mieszko, as did Chuck, Quorthon, Kurt. Rest now.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Digging In (00:18)
Never seem to realize...
...that this can't continue!
Working hard, digging in...
...digging your own grave!
05 Disdain and Contempt (00:32)
Disdain and contempt - walk hand in hand
Disdain and contempt - my only friends
Disdain and contempt - my life for you
Disdain and contempt - you're killing me
06 I See Lies (01:10)
I see the headlines of today
I see the words but I can't comprehend
I see the news as a shitcovered wall
I see lies only lies
Lies! I see lies!
I see your mouth form some words
I see it move but I can't fucking hear it
I see your mouth as a shitfilled hole
I see lies only lies
Lies! I see lies!
11 Disappointed (01:09)
How many times have you told me that you'll get things done?
And how many times have I seen you with empty hands?
Why is it always so fucking hard to keep a promise?
How should I ever trust you when...
...you disappoint me!
You disappoint me!
Again and again!
How many times have I stood alone waiting for you?
And how many times have I walked away deserted?
I don't need your explainations they mean nothing to me
I will never trust you, 'cause...
...you disappoint me!
You disappoint me!
Again and again!
12 Lägg om! (00:18)
Varför lägga all sin energi på ingenting?
Lägg om kursen du hinner än!
Varför ödsla tid och energi på idioti?
Lägg om kursen, du hinner än!
Lägg om kursen, jag tror du hinner än!
14 Tested (01:20)
Are you the brave one?
Would you dare to defy their cause?
Can you stand up for yourself?
Back up your thoughts with more than just empty words?
'Cause I am here to test you
And you're about to fail
Are you convinced of the fact?
That you're absolutely right?
Do you actually believe?
Believe that what you say is really true?
'Cause I am here to test you
And you're about to fail
'Cause I think you're full of shit, I think you're full of shit!
17 When Science Fails (01:49)
Is this revenge, this modern, mortal plague?
Has science failed or is progress none?
No words spoken but I still hear
"No urgency - this concerns only..."
The weak - the outcasts
The weak - the worthless
Nameless white-robes exploring the unknown
Manipulating with human lives
And through this wickedness, I ask myself
Who pulls the string, who doesn't care?
Murderers - in disguise
Murders - well disguised
Last call for faith or progress
Last call for life
Nowhere to run or hide
...When science fails
27 My Philosophy (00:56)
Disconcerting the downsides, emphasizing on the positive
Charcterizes my philosophy
My philosophy!
Shaping a guideline, free to follow
Sharing the thoughts of my philosophy
My philosophy!
31 Burning Inside (01:33)
Seize the day - is what to do
Grab the moment - make what's best
Don't be still - activate your mind
Discharge the flame - turn dark to light
Swallow the fire, embody the heat
Seize the fire - the burning flame
Ignite your will - let emotions spark
Don't be silent - speak your mind
Leave your lair - end the dark
Swallow the fire, embody the heat
Swallow the fire, embody the heat
...burning inside...
32 A Request for Guidance (00:47)
I don't know the hardcore book of rules, but I have yet succeded
Instead of complaining on my life, guide me and show me the way
Show me the way! Show me!
I don't need your advice, Mr Punk! I'll do without them
Punk is to think for yourself, not to think for others
36 Du är bevakad (01:09)
Det som inte blotta ögat ser det finns inte där
Allt som inte rör på sig står still
Det finns inget som vi inte ser, vi ser allt som är
Du kan inte gömma dig från oss
Stenhård disciplin
Bäst att inte göra bort sig, kan sluta illa då.
Här gäller stenhård disciplin
Alla vet vad som förväntas av var och en
Ställ dig rakt i ledet nu, blicka endast fram
Kom ihåg att allt du ser, ser och hör är sant
Gör som du blir tillsagt, kom ihåg du nu tillhör oss
Glöm allt det du hade, glöm det liv du haft
Du är bevakad...
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